Question 1

Which of these statements correctly describes why Copernicus decided that the orbits of Mercury and Venus are smaller than the orbit of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both Mercury and Venus can sometimes be seen high in the sky at midnight. 
B)  Both Mercury and Venus show a complete cycle of phases, like the Moon. 
C)  Both Mercury and Venus stay fairly close to the Sun in the sky. 
D)  Both Mercury and Venus occasionally pass through conjunction with the Sun as seen from Earth. 
A)  Both Mercury and Venus can sometimes be seen high in the sky at midnight. 
B)  Both Mercury and Venus show a complete cycle of phases, like the Moon. 
C)  Both Mercury and Venus stay fairly close to the Sun in the sky. 
D)  Both Mercury and Venus occasionally pass through conjunction with the Sun as seen from Earth.

Question 2

A vital part of a scientific hypothesis is that

Accepted Answer

A)  it is possible, in principle, to disprove it by observation. 
B)  it is possible, in principle, to disprove it by logical argument. 
C)  it must be mathematically simple. 
D)  it must be mathematically complex. 
A)  it is possible, in principle, to disprove it by observation. 
B)  it is possible, in principle, to disprove it by logical argument. 
C)  it must be mathematically simple. 
D)  it must be mathematically complex.

Question 3

As Venus orbits the Sun, its angular size as viewed from Earth appears to change by what factor, from smallest to largest? See Figure 2-10.

Accepted Answer

A)  58 
B)  1.72 
C)  Its angular size does not change; only its brightness changes. 
D)  5.8 
A)  58 
B)  1.72 
C)  Its angular size does not change; only its brightness changes. 
D)  5.8

Question 4

An apparent eastward motion of a planet from night to night compared to the background stars (as viewed from Earth) is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)  rising (if in the east) or setting (if in the west). 
B)  direct motion. 
C)  precession. 
D)  retrograde motion. 
A)  rising (if in the east) or setting (if in the west). 
B)  direct motion. 
C)  precession. 
D)  retrograde motion.

Question 5

In the geocentric model for the solar system developed by Ptolemy, to what does the word "deferent" refer?

Accepted Answer

A)  distance of the center of the epicycle from the center of Earth 
B)  small circle about which a planet moves while the center of the circle moves around Earth 
C)  distance of offset between the center of Earth and the center of a planet's orbit 
D)  large circle (orbit) that carries the planet around Earth while the planet itself is moving in a smaller circle 
A)  distance of the center of the epicycle from the center of Earth 
B)  small circle about which a planet moves while the center of the circle moves around Earth 
C)  distance of offset between the center of Earth and the center of a planet's orbit 
D)  large circle (orbit) that carries the planet around Earth while the planet itself is moving in a smaller circle

Question 6

Which of Galileo's observations of the motions of the large moons of Jupiter provided the MOST significant change to astronomers' understanding of the solar system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Their motions are counterclockwise (viewed from the north) just like the orbits of the planets. 
B)  Their orbits were elliptical, just like Kepler predicted. 
C)  Their orbits obeyed Kepler's second law. 
D)  The moons farther from Jupiter had longer periods, just as Copernicus had discovered for the planets around the Sun. 
A)  Their motions are counterclockwise (viewed from the north) just like the orbits of the planets. 
B)  Their orbits were elliptical, just like Kepler predicted. 
C)  Their orbits obeyed Kepler's second law. 
D)  The moons farther from Jupiter had longer periods, just as Copernicus had discovered for the planets around the Sun.

Question 7

Retrograde motion of a planet is

Accepted Answer

A)  westward motion against the star background. 
B)  westward motion with respect to the foreground on Earth. 
C)  eastward motion with respect to the Moon. 
D)  eastward motion against the star background. 
A)  westward motion against the star background. 
B)  westward motion with respect to the foreground on Earth. 
C)  eastward motion with respect to the Moon. 
D)  eastward motion against the star background.

Question 8

Consider the sidereal period for Saturn. Which planet (or planets) will be in the same place in its orbit at the beginning and at the end of one sidereal period of Saturn?

Accepted Answer

A)  neither Saturn nor Earth 
B)  Earth but not Saturn 
C)  Saturn but not Earth 
D)  both Saturn and Earth 
A)  neither Saturn nor Earth 
B)  Earth but not Saturn 
C)  Saturn but not Earth 
D)  both Saturn and Earth

Question 9

The groundwork for modern science was laid by the first investigators who used mathematics to describe natural phenomena. These were

Accepted Answer

A)  the Babylonians, about 1800 B.C. 
B)  the Ionians, about 600 B.C. 
C)  the Pythagoreans, about 550 B.C. 
D)  Ptolemy and his associates, about 150 A.D. 
A)  the Babylonians, about 1800 B.C. 
B)  the Ionians, about 600 B.C. 
C)  the Pythagoreans, about 550 B.C. 
D)  Ptolemy and his associates, about 150 A.D.

Question 10

The law of gravitation expounded by Newton for the force F between two objects of masses M and m with separation (between centers) of R is given, with G being a constant, by

Accepted Answer

A)  F = GMm/R2. 
B)  F = GMmR2. 
C)  F = Mm/GR2. 
D)  F = GM/mR2. 
A)  F = GMm/R2. 
B)  F = GMmR2. 
C)  F = Mm/GR2. 
D)  F = GM/mR2.

Question 11

To which point in a planetary orbit does the word "aphelion" refer?

Accepted Answer

A)  precise center of the orbit 
B)  point farthest from the Sun 
C)  "other" focus (the one not occupied by the Sun) 
D)  point closest to the Sun 
A)  precise center of the orbit 
B)  point farthest from the Sun 
C)  "other" focus (the one not occupied by the Sun) 
D)  point closest to the Sun

Question 12

In the path of Mars against the background stars shown in Figure 2-2, the planet appears from Earth to move in a loop, moving westward for a period of time. In the 2012 loop, what is the angle between the Earth-Sun line and Earth-Mars line when the planet is halfway through the retrograde motion, in late February?

Accepted Answer

A)  180° 
B)  It can be any angle. 
C)  0° 
D)  90° 
A)  180° 
B)  It can be any angle. 
C)  0° 
D)  90°

Question 13

According to Newton's third law, if a force is acting on an object, then

Accepted Answer

A)  there must be some other force acting on a different object, with the same magnitude but in the opposite direction. 
B)  the object must move in a circular path. 
C)  there must be some other force also acting on the object, with the same magnitude but in the opposite direction. 
D)  the object must accelerate. 
A)  there must be some other force acting on a different object, with the same magnitude but in the opposite direction. 
B)  the object must move in a circular path. 
C)  there must be some other force also acting on the object, with the same magnitude but in the opposite direction. 
D)  the object must accelerate.

Question 14

Galileo's observations suggested to him that the planets revolve around the Sun. This idea was

Accepted Answer

A)  original with Galileo and had not been suggested before. 
B)  similar to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. 
C)  similar to the ideas of Ptolemy. 
D)  similar to the ideas of Copernicus. 
A)  original with Galileo and had not been suggested before. 
B)  similar to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. 
C)  similar to the ideas of Ptolemy. 
D)  similar to the ideas of Copernicus.

Question 15

The acceleration of an object is defined as the rate of change of its

Accepted Answer

A)  speed. 
B)  velocity. 
C)  direction of travel. 
D)  position. 
A)  speed. 
B)  velocity. 
C)  direction of travel. 
D)  position.

Question 16

The motions of the planets against the background stars in the sky can BEST be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  regular patterns with general eastward motion interrupted by periods of westward motion. 
B)  regular and uniform eastward motion. 
C)  general eastward motion but with occasional stationary periods with no motion at all. 
D)  regular patterns with general westward motion interrupted by periods of eastward motion. 
A)  regular patterns with general eastward motion interrupted by periods of westward motion. 
B)  regular and uniform eastward motion. 
C)  general eastward motion but with occasional stationary periods with no motion at all. 
D)  regular patterns with general westward motion interrupted by periods of eastward motion.

Question 17

What was the MOST important contribution of Newton to the development of astronomy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Newton showed that astronomical phenomena can be explained using only basic physics and mathematics. 
B)  Newton showed that planetary orbits are ellipses, with each planet moving fastest when closest to the Sun. 
C)  Newton was the first person to observe the sky through a telescope. 
D)  Newton invented the reflecting telescope. 
A)  Newton showed that astronomical phenomena can be explained using only basic physics and mathematics. 
B)  Newton showed that planetary orbits are ellipses, with each planet moving fastest when closest to the Sun. 
C)  Newton was the first person to observe the sky through a telescope. 
D)  Newton invented the reflecting telescope.

Question 18

Why is the barycenter of the Earth and Moon significant?

Accepted Answer

A)  The barycenter is the halfway point between Earth and the Moon. 
B)  The barycenter is the point between Earth and the Moon where their gravitational pulls just cancel. 
C)  The barycenter is the common center of the orbital motions of Earth and the Moon due to their mutual gravitational attraction. 
D)  The Moon is receding from Earth, and Earth is receding from the Moon. The common point from which they are both receding is the barycenter. 
A)  The barycenter is the halfway point between Earth and the Moon. 
B)  The barycenter is the point between Earth and the Moon where their gravitational pulls just cancel. 
C)  The barycenter is the common center of the orbital motions of Earth and the Moon due to their mutual gravitational attraction. 
D)  The Moon is receding from Earth, and Earth is receding from the Moon. The common point from which they are both receding is the barycenter.

Question 19

Suppose an astronomer were to observe two supernovas (exploding stars) in the night sky on a particular night. If one was in the nearby arm of the Milky Way Galaxy, approximately 2000 light years away from Earth, while the other was in the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, 2 million light-years away from Earth, which of these statements concerning the actual explosion times of these supernovas is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both stars exploded at the same time because the explosions were observed at the same time. 
B)  It is not possible to determine which star actually exploded first because both stars are so far away. 
C)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred after the one in our Galaxy. 
D)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred before the one in our Galaxy. 
A)  Both stars exploded at the same time because the explosions were observed at the same time. 
B)  It is not possible to determine which star actually exploded first because both stars are so far away. 
C)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred after the one in our Galaxy. 
D)  The supernova in the Andromeda Galaxy actually occurred before the one in our Galaxy.

Question 20

Which one of these is NOT part of the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

A)  make an observation or do an experiment 
B)  analyze results 
C)  determine consistence with recognized authorities 
D)  choose the simplest existing theory 
A)  make an observation or do an experiment 
B)  analyze results 
C)  determine consistence with recognized authorities 
D)  choose the simplest existing theory

Which of these statements correctly describes why Copernicus decided that the orbits of Mercury and Venus are smaller than the orbit of Earth?

A vital part of a scientific hypothesis is that

As Venus orbits the Sun, its angular size as viewed from Earth appears to change by what factor, from smallest to largest? See Figure 2-10.

An apparent eastward motion of a planet from night to night compared to the background stars (as viewed from Earth) is referred to as

In the geocentric model for the solar system developed by Ptolemy, to what does the word "deferent" refer?

Which of Galileo's observations of the motions of the large moons of Jupiter provided the MOST significant change to astronomers' understanding of the solar system?

Retrograde motion of a planet is

Consider the sidereal period for Saturn. Which planet (or planets) will be in the same place in its orbit at the beginning and at the end of one sidereal period of Saturn?

The groundwork for modern science was laid by the first investigators who used mathematics to describe natural phenomena. These were

The law of gravitation expounded by Newton for the force F between two objects of masses M and m with separation (between centers) of R is given, with G being a constant, by

To which point in a planetary orbit does the word "aphelion" refer?

According to Newton's third law, if a force is acting on an object, then

Galileo's observations suggested to him that the planets revolve around the Sun. This idea was

The acceleration of an object is defined as the rate of change of its

The motions of the planets against the background stars in the sky can BEST be described as

What was the MOST important contribution of Newton to the development of astronomy?

Why is the barycenter of the Earth and Moon significant?

Which one of these is NOT part of the scientific method?

Discovering the Night Sky

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters

Exam 2: Gravitation and the Motion of the Planets

Which of these statements correctly describes why Copernicus decided that the orbits of Mercury and Venus are smaller than the orbit of Earth?

A vital part of a scientific hypothesis is that

As Venus orbits the Sun, its angular size as viewed from Earth appears to change by what factor, from smallest to largest? See Figure 2-10.

An apparent eastward motion of a planet from night to night compared to the background stars (as viewed from Earth) is referred to as

In the geocentric model for the solar system developed by Ptolemy, to what does the word "deferent" refer?

Which of Galileo's observations of the motions of the large moons of Jupiter provided the MOST significant change to astronomers' understanding of the solar system?

Retrograde motion of a planet is

Consider the sidereal period for Saturn. Which planet (or planets) will be in the same place in its orbit at the beginning and at the end of one sidereal period of Saturn?

The groundwork for modern science was laid by the first investigators who used mathematics to describe natural phenomena. These were

The law of gravitation expounded by Newton for the force F between two objects of masses M and m with separation (between centers) of R is given, with G being a constant, by

To which point in a planetary orbit does the word "aphelion" refer?

According to Newton's third law, if a force is acting on an object, then

Galileo's observations suggested to him that the planets revolve around the Sun. This idea was

The acceleration of an object is defined as the rate of change of its

The motions of the planets against the background stars in the sky can BEST be described as

What was the MOST important contribution of Newton to the development of astronomy?

Why is the barycenter of the Earth and Moon significant?

Which one of these is NOT part of the scientific method?

Discovering the Night Sky

Light and Telescopes

Atomic Physics and Spectra

Exoplanets and the Formation of Planetary Systems

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Moon

The Other Terrestrial Planets

The Outer Planets

Vagabonds of the Solar System

The Sun: Our Extraordinary Star

Characterizing Stars

The Lives of Stars From Birth Through Middle Age

The Death of Stars

Black Holes: Matters of Gravity

The Milky Way Galaxy

Galaxies

Quasars and Other Active Galaxies

Cosmology

Astrobiology

Filters